Several months and 2 million votes later, Slipknot’s Joey Jordison emerges the victor of Loudwire’s Greatest Metal Drummer Contest. Jordison blasted past Pantera’s Vinne Paul by grabbing up nearly 62% of the vote. Jordison came from the “Technical Masters” bracket and represents the trend of amazingly fast, accurate, and technical drummers that have dominated the metal scene for over a decade.

Check out the results for yourself!

Here at the start of the year, we love taking a look at things that can do while studying music.  Practicing is always at the front of improving your musicianship, and here are 10 ways you can optimize your own practice time, according to NPR!

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Don’t act like you never did this! There’s even a part 2.

“UB40 are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this will cause their fans. The band had been looking forward to these shows all summer but, as his treatment continues, Jimmy has been advised not to play for the foreseeable future.”

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From ABC News

The rhythm of Hart’s drum isn’t the same as the rhythm of his brain, but there is a connection between the two… different sections of the brain activate and deactivate at the same time, resulting in a rhythmic pulse of activity throughout a brain region.

But when we age, that rhythm starts to shift. “The rhythmic connection between different brain areas can change, or the frequency of the rhythm itself could change.”

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It’s easy to forget that some of the industry’s most memorable bands were fronted by the drummer.  From Don Henley to Phil Collins to Mickey Dolenz, check out this list of the top singing drummers of classic rock!

Read more from K-Earth 101.

From developmental tips to social strategies, we talk all about tips and suggestions for surviving the grind of music in higher eduction. In the news, we talk about KFC hating on drummers, Korn says “no” to Dave Silveria, the greatest metal drummer brackets from Loudwire, NIN’s new record, and the Eiffel Tower as an instrument.

News from the Pinboard

• KFC says buying your kid a drumset is “not so smart”

• Sorry, Korn fans, Silveria won’t be reunited with the band

• Loudwire’s Greatest Metal Drummer – Quarterfinals

• Now Joey Kramer has a line of coffee

• New NIN, “Hesitation Marks” Released

• Eiffel Tower used as a big drum kit

• Matt Greiner of August Burns Red launched drum company

• Guitar Center Launches 25th Anniversary Drumoff #drumoff

Topic – Surviving Music School

• Development

  • Do what you’re there to do.

  • Develop good practice habits and etiquette

  • Audition for everything you can!  It’s great experience even if you have no chance of landing the gig.

  • Never turn down a gig, but put studies over external job

  • Diversify your skills.  Learn as many different things as possible, and don’t pigeonhole yourself… yet.

    • Drumline, orchestra, world percussion, drumset – learn it all! Glee club!

  • Time – Management – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHM3U2Fg9HM

  • Develop the freelance mentality and entrepreneurial spirit.

• Social Aspect

  • Unless you really are the greatest thing since sliced bread, be nice.

  • Remember, these are the networked relationships you’ll be keeping for a very long time!

    • Think about joining a frat/sorority, but proceed with caution

      • Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha/Sigma Alpha Iota

  • Make friends outside of your instrument group!

  • When you’re done – LEAVE TOWN!

• Gear

  • Have more mallets and sticks than you think you need.

    • Keep them organized – get a nice stick bag/box

    • Put your mark on them somehow

  • Put your name on everything!

  • Cases, cases, cases

Outro, drops, plugs, etc.

• Please consider rating us on iTunes!

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• Have a topic suggestion or question for the show?  Let us know at www.drummertalk.org/contact

Next week: Rudimental Refresher Part 1!

Beast. Mode!

What is it with famous rock drummers and coffee? Aerosmith drummer, Joey Kramer, now has his very own line of coffee available in the Pacific Northwest. The brand, called Rockin’ & Roastin’, is “music to your lips,” says Kramer.

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“You still have haters out there, sure you do,” Castronovo said, noting that he understands their feelings. “I mean, to me, I’ve said it in a million interviews. Steve Perry is a god to me.”

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From greinerkilmer.com:

August Burns Red’s drummer, Matt Greiner, teamed up with drum builder Kaleb Kilmer to form Greiner Kilmer CO. in 2011. The duo’s designs and engineering combine Greiner’s passion for drums and Kilmer’s drum building skills in creating a unique series of handcrafted drums.

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But apparently, giving you and your entire family heart disease is smart. This is just an insulting commercial.

We knew Moby was an electronic music artist and vintage gear enthusiast, but did you know he has the world’s largest collection of antique drum machines?

Read more from Vanity Fair